Rialto woman arrested for alleged financial aid fraud

Federal agents arrested a Rialto woman Thursday on charges that she fraudulently used two identities to receive federal financial aid for college.

By day 43 year-old Angenette Thomas was a probation officer in San Dimas. By night she filed paperwork and received more than $135,000 in federal loans and grants to attend college.

Investigators with the U.S. Department of Education allege at least a small portion of that was obtained through fraud. She claimed to attend Cal State Fullerton, Platt College, National University in San Diego County, and several others, according to investigators.

Thomas defaulted on the loans, but she didn’t disclose that in her applications for more federal aid. When the aid was denied, investigators say, she used a second name and social security number and was granted more college money from the federal government.

If convicted of wire fraud charges Angenette Thomas faces up to 20 years in prison.

Neither she nor her lawyer could not be reached for comment.